‘Highlander’ Reboot Seeks Tom Cruise for Sean Connery Role

The ‘Highlander’ reboot has been developing for a long, long time now. How long? Ryan Reynolds was once attached to star when we might have been interested in such a thing. And while we all know there can be only one, and there can certainly be only one Sean Connery, it seems like this ‘Highlander’ reboot is picking up steam again, with Tom Cruise being sought for the role originated by Connery.

The Wrap reports that Summit Entertainment wants Cruise to fill Connery’s shoes in the mentor role, although they note that the interest is one-sided as Cruise is currently filming ‘Mission: Impossible 5.’ A representative for Cruise responded by saying that Cruise is offered “tons of projects.” Well, obviously. He’s Tom Cruise.

Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, a visual effects supervisor and second unit director who has previously worked on films like ‘Snow White and the Huntsman,’ ‘Maleficent,’ and the more interesting ‘One Hour Photo,’ is making his directorial debut on the project. The reboot was penned by Matt Holloway and Art Marcum (‘Iron Man’), and Melissa Rosenberg (‘Twilight’).

The original ‘Highlander’ film followed an immortal Scottish swordsman facing down his immortal opponent, a brutal barbarian who has been chasing him across time as they both quest for the fabled “Prize.” Christopher Lambert originated the role of Connor MacLeod, the Highlander, while Connery played his mentor, Juan Ramirez.

The Wrap notes that Summit is willing to increase the size of the role for Cruise if he signs on, but the role would still be a supporting role, and it seems unlikely that a leading man like Cruise would accept a supporting part—then again, he took everyone by surprise when he was essentially supporting Emily Blunt in ‘Edge of Tomorrow’ (or ‘Live. Die. Repeat.’ Whatever we’re calling it now.)